Cheesy Halloween Jack O’ Lantern Mac & Cheese
Celebrate Halloween with a fun and delicious twist on a classic dish! This Cheesy Halloween Jack O’ Lantern Mac & Cheese combines creamy cheddar and cauliflower goodness, adorned with pumpernickel bread cutouts to create an adorable jack o' lantern face. Perfect for family gatherings or a spooky-themed dinner, this dish is sure to delight both kids and adults alike. Serve it up for a festive touch that adds both charm and flavor to your celebration!
N/A
Servings
238
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
dark pumpernickel bread
2 slices (cut into triangles for the jack o’ lantern face)
kosher salt
to taste (used for seasoning the water and the sauce)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground for seasoning the sauce)
cauliflower florets
1 (10 ounce) package (cooked until tender)
elbow macaroni
8 ounces (2 cups) (cooked in boiling water)
heavy cream
1 cup (added to the blender)
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon (added to the blender)
shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups (1 1/2 cups for sauce, 1/2 cup for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it heats, prepare the jack o’ lantern features by cutting the pumpernickel bread into triangles for the eyes and mouth, and a small piece for the pumpkin stem.
2
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Carefully add the cauliflower florets and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked cauliflower to a blender.
3
Add the elbow macaroni to the boiling water, cooking until just tender, about 4 minutes. Once cooked, drain the macaroni and transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish.
4
In the blender with the cauliflower, pour in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Puree until smooth. Season the mixture to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5
Pour the cauliflower cheese mixture over the macaroni in the pie dish. Gently mix until the macaroni is well-coated in the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top and arrange the pumpernickel triangle cutouts to create the jack o' lantern's face.
6
Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your whimsical Halloween treat!
Nutrition Information
15.5g
Fat
19g
Carbs
8.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Halloween Jack O’ Lantern Mac & Cheese?
This is a festive dish that combines elbow macaroni with a creamy cauliflower and cheddar cheese sauce, topped with pumpernickel bread cutouts to look like a Jack O’ Lantern.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly and is tagged as such.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
What kind of bread is used for the pumpkin face?
Dark pumpernickel bread is used to create the eyes, mouth, and stem for the Jack O’ Lantern face.
How long should I cook the cauliflower?
Cook the cauliflower florets in boiling water until they are tender, which takes about 5 minutes.
How long should the elbow macaroni be boiled?
The macaroni should be boiled for about 4 minutes until it is just tender.
What size baking dish is needed?
A 9-inch pie dish is used to assemble and bake the mac and cheese.
What ingredients are blended to make the cheese sauce?
The sauce is a puree of cooked cauliflower, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
How much cheese is used for the topping?
A 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese is reserved and sprinkled on top before baking.
How long does the dish bake in the oven?
The dish should bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 238 calories per serving.
What is the total fat content per serving?
The fat content is 15.5g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 19g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this dish provide?
This dish provides 8.5g of protein per serving.
What seasonings are used in the cauliflower sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as kid-friendly and is perfect for a fun family Halloween dinner.
How many slices of pumpernickel bread are required?
The recipe requires 2 slices of dark pumpernickel bread.
How much elbow macaroni is needed?
You will need 8 ounces or 2 cups of elbow macaroni.
What amount of cauliflower florets is required?
The recipe calls for one 10-ounce package of cauliflower florets.
Is Dijon mustard necessary for this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to enhance the flavor of the cheese sauce.
How do I prepare the bread for the pumpkin face?
Cut the pumpernickel bread into triangles for the eyes and mouth, and a small piece for the pumpkin stem.
What type of salt is recommended?
Kosher salt is recommended for seasoning both the water and the sauce.
Does the recipe use heavy cream?
Yes, 1 cup of heavy cream is used to make the sauce creamy and smooth.
Can this dish be served immediately?
It is recommended to let the dish cool slightly after removing it from the oven before serving.
How many cups of cheddar cheese are used in total?
A total of 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese are used.
What is the ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 8 primary ingredients in this recipe.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as a comfort food dish.
Why is cauliflower used in the sauce?
Cauliflower is pureed into the sauce to add creaminess and nutritional value.
How is the sauce applied to the pasta?
The cauliflower cheese mixture is poured over the macaroni in the dish and gently mixed until well-coated.
What are the primary flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish is cheesy, creamy, and features the earthy taste of pumpernickel and cauliflower.